Additional Resources

NICU Patient Stories

Read below stories of children who came into this world too early. Their parents share their fears, their challenges and ultimately their comfort in knowing their babies received the very best care in The Medical Center NICU. See how they have grown from so very small and fragile to healthy, active children today.

Garrett & Gracyn

Garrett

Gracyn

When our twins were born at 32 weeks, we were told they might have to be sent to Nashville due to being born so early. But, they were able to stay at The Medical Center NICU due to their size; Gracyn was 5 lbs. 3 oz. and Garrett was 4 lbs. 13 1/2 oz. The NICU staff was by far the best staff anyone could have asked for to have watching over our gifts from above. As we sat worrying and praying that our babies would be OK, the nurses and doctors were hard at work making everything right for our twins.When we would go into the NICU, the doctors and nurses were always ready to help us with any questions or concerns we had. It was always hard to leave, but at the same time it was always comforting knowing the doctors and nurses were some of the best in the area taking care of our babies 24/7.

Tyler

Tyler

Tyler was born 14 weeks early weighing in at 2 lbs. 6 oz. and 15 inches long. He was unable to breathe on his own, and his heart would randomly stop beating. His skin was paper thin and extremely delicate.The doctors told us he had less than a 75% chance of survival, and even then there could be major physical and mental disabilities.Tyler struggled to gain weight and got down to 1 lb. 14 oz. He struggled to breathe when lying on his back and always preferred to sleep on his belly. With the love of great doctors and nurses and his parents who never left his side, Tyler turned the corner and started to improve. After 77 days, Tyler finally got to come home. He is very healthy with no major side effects from being born so premature. It was a long and scary road that you never think you will ever have to go down, but we are all stronger for his time in the NICU.

Addyson & Grace Ann

Addyson

Grace Ann

Thirty-two weeks into my pregnancy, my twin girls came into this world through an emergency C-section. Grace Ann weighed 1 lb. 8 oz. and Addyson was 3 lbs. 7 oz. Both were put on ventilators to help them breathe, and other health complications were monitored daily. As the days turned into weeks, I found myself feeling more comfortable in the NICU atmosphere thanks to the NICU nurses and staff.After two weeks of only getting to touch my babies through the isolette access ports, they were finally healthy enough for me to hold. This was the moment I’d been praying for. The girls spent a total of 2 1/2 months in the NICU and weighed a little over 4 lbs. when we brought them home. Today, the girls are thriving 3 year olds full of love and laughter. They are in perfect health, and the reason I breathe everyday.

Vayden

Vayden

Vayden was born at 34 weeks weighing 6 lbs. 10 oz. and 20 inches long. The minute he was born was the scariest moment in my life. He never cried, and when they handed him to me, he turned blue. They scooped him up and ran him to the NICU. He was put on O2 and a feeding tube. He was very lazy, so he spent a few days on a nasal canula then moved to a hood and C-PAP before coming home. All the nurses took great care of our little man, and we are very thankful!